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Norwegian Dawn

David Maudlin

Age: 61

Occupation:Retired

Number of Cruises: 8

Cruise Line: Norwegian

Ship: Norwegian Dawn

Sailing Date: 04-12-2009

Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean

If you do not mind being subjected to average service and average food, this ship might be for you. This was our 4th Norwegian Freestyle cruise. The other 3 were wonderful. Unfortunately this one was not up to the usual luxurious standards of pampering that we have come to expect on our cruises. Since our last cruise with NCL they seem to have instituted several cost-cutting measures. The sauna had gone from free to $20 per person per day. The Mexican and Italian restaurants had fone from free to $15. per person. Fruit juice at the Garden Cafe went from free to $3.50 per glass. The tipping had gone from semi-voluntary to mandatory which definitely affected the service. Many of the wait staff seemed sad and unhappy with their jobs. Some were actually surly. A few were the cheerful efficient waiters that we had expected on the cruise ship. The option of a shared table was no longer available. The food had goumet names but not gourmet quality. Most was served tepid. At one meal CC ordered lobster and got 1/2 of a small lobster tail. We had a good laugh at that serving! The shrimp coctail has gone from jumbo shrimp to mini-shrimp. The liquor wasn't delivered to the cabin on the final night. Instead it was to be picked up at the store for bottles purchased on board (you had better have saved your reciept for these). That which was purchased onshore had to be picked up on the 12th deck. These are just examples of the many cost cutting measured which they have instituted recently. The ship and the itinery were excellent. The unhappy crew made this cruise less than it should have been. The photgraphers were even more pushy than normal. One told me that I was rude for not stopping to pose with person in the animal suit.

The food was below average for a cruise ship. There was an extra charge for juice which was normally free on cruise ships. Most meals were served lees than hot.

The stateroom was bright and cheerful.

The assistant cruise director was obnoxious, but has since been removed. The entertainment was very good as expected on a cruise ship.

The over-all island trip in St. Thomas is not to miss.

It was a wonderful cruise with friends in spite of the unhappy servers.